Skip to content

How to become a Biomedical Scientist

Biomedical Scientist

Career progression and salary expectations for a Biomedical Scientist

1

Biomedical Scientist

| Up to £21,000
2

Specialist Biomedical Scientist

| Up to £34,000
3

Advanced Biomedical Scientist

| Up to £40,000

The role of a Biomedical Scientist

Want to change lives? It’s what’s on the inside that counts…

A Biomedical Scientist researches, investigates, and diagnoses human illnesses through the testing of biological samples.Biomedical Scientists can choose to work within infection sciences, blood sciences, or cellular sciences, and areas of analysis could include, organs, bodily fluids, human tissue and cells, the immune system, and viruses.

Their work will normally be laboratory based, but they could also work in hospitals, government authorities, research institutes, and academic institutions.

Other duties for a Biomedical Scientist include:

  • Identifying and matching blood groups to support transfusion
  • Screening for abnormalities or diseases in blood
  • Analysing the effectiveness of treatments
  • Discovering new ways to cure and medicate diseases
  • Using samples to check for food poisoning, cervical cancer, or infectious diseases
  • Gathering and analysing tissue samples from operations or autopsies
  • Using specially grown cell cultures to diagnose cancer
  • Using computerised systems to report findings and results
To become a Biomedical Scientist you must have a keen interest in science and computer software, as well as a naturally inquisitive attitude with a knack for problem solving.

As you’ll often be concentrating on one task for a long period of time, you’ll also need to exhibit an excellent attention to detail and a high level of patience. And, although your work will involve a large amount of practical duties, you’ll additionally need to have strong spoken and written skills to effectively share your findings.

A successful Biomedical Scientist must also be:

  • Interested in medicine and advancing treatments
  • Able to show a high level of accuracy
  • Great at decision making
  • Ethical and empathetic in their approach
  • Able to work well in a team
"I’ve always been interested in human biology, and after studying Biomedical Science at University and specialising in cellular sciences, I decided to take on the exciting role of a Biomedical Scientist. Now, I mainly focus on looking at cells in the human brain, concentrating on identifying the impact Parkinson's disease has on cellular function. The job comes with a massive sense of achievement, as my research could actually have a positive impact on people’s health. I also feel like I’m constantly learning new things about how the human body works, which is pretty fascinating. Repeating experiments can be kind of monotonous at times, and there’s a lot of statistics and presentations involved, but overall, I think it’s a great job. I also get to use a microscope a lot – and it turns out, brains are actually really pretty close-up."

Get qualified as a Biomedical Scientist

All Biomedical Scientist jobs
Need Advice? Ask our virtual career advisor